A charming pub in Manchester’s Gay Village has been left ‘thrilled’ after it was named CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2023.
Part bar, part hideout, The Molly House on Richmond Street shared the news about its win on Twitter this week, writing: “Thrilled to be awarded Central Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023”, accompanied by a championship cup emoji.
The decadent, alternative boozer in Manchester’s Gay Village – known for its dazzling choice of ales, craft beer, wines, spirits and tasty tapas dishes – is something of a favourite amongst locals in the know, split across two floors with a lovely upstairs terrace.
House in a former worsted tailors shop, it sits just off the main bustle of the area’s main thoroughfare Canal Street and has been a fixture here since opening in 2010.
Image: The Molly House
Image: The Molly House
Not just a boozer, it also serves twenty different styles of tea as well as coffee and specialist spirits, all in its post-Victorian ‘shabby chic’ settings.
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Downstairs, the ‘Tea Room’ is where the kitchen is situated. Here you’ll find a cask ale bar and large wooden tables, chairs and benches for dining, whilst upstairs in the Bordello the decor is more intimate with low-slung sofas and armchairs and more of a focus on cocktails.
On the tapas menu, served from 12-9pm daily, you’ll find the likes of prawns cooked in wine with paprika and chillies, mushroom croquetas and asparagus in tahini, alongside halloumi in harissa, John Dory with orange, artichokes and romesco, and chorizo on salsa.
As for drinks, the bar specialises in local brewers and the policy is to serve examples of many different beer styles – so you’ll find all sorts on offer here, ranging from Cloudwater craft beers to kegs and casks from RedWillow and Mallinsons.
Taking its name from a term used in 18th- and 19th-century Britain for a meeting place for homosexual men, the boozer keeps alive the history of those taverns, public houses, coffeehouses and even private rooms where men would often socialise in secret.
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Georgina Pellant -
28th April 2023 
